Belgium is first country to introduce mandatory monkeypox quarantine

June 5, 2024

By Expat Media

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Belgium: 3-week quarantine now mandatory for monkeypox cases

Belgium became the first country in the world to introduce a mandatory monkeypox quarantine, with health authorities announcing new health protocol on Monday. Under the new rules, people diagnosed with monkeypox must undergo a three-week quarantine. Those showing symptoms of monkeypox must get checked at a hospital’s emergency room. Belgium has released the health protocol from its Risk Assessment Group, a council of health authorities representing the federal government and regions. Patients must self-isolate for 21 days if they are diagnosed with the disease. Four cases of monkeypox have been diagnosed in Belgium so far. The cases are related to a festival in the city of Antwerp earlier this month. Since May, several monkeypox cases have been detected in the UK, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Sweden, and France, as well as Canada, Australia, and the US. The virus is endemic in certain parts of Africa. Monkeypox is a virus transmitted to humans from animals, with symptoms including fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. The incubation period of monkeypox is usually from 6 to 16 days and symptoms last from 14 to 21 days. Its human-to-human transmission is considered limited and within the range of direct contact with the patient or contaminated fluids. ICA/Expat Media